The Most Life Changing Thing I Ever Read

There is an unbelievably, vast amount of knowledge out there that our education system does not teach us. Most remain oblivious of it and go on living with a limited perspective about life. Two years ago, I decided to tap into those words of wisdom—rediscovering the lesser-known truths and learning how to holistically transform my experience of life. Above everything I learned so far, the excerpt below is one of the most profound, thought-provoking set of words I have ever read. It completely changed the way I see life. I guarantee, if you read with an open mind, it will definitely leave you thinking.

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but we have less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families

More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense

More knowledge, but less judgement

More experts, but more problems

More medicines, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often

We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back

But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.

We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We’ve higher incomes, but lower morals.

We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;

Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,

More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;

Of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

And a time when you can choose,

Either to make a difference …. or just hit, delete.

– His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Are we really progressing in life, or is every step we take forward actually three steps backward?

This is one of my favorites.
If you haven’t seen it already, happy to announce I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. (You can see my post for the details if you accept tags.) Cheers, and thanks for this and other good reads.

I believe this was meant for me to read today. I am visiting Atlanta and experienced a bit of Irma. It really puts it all in perspective. What is important in our lives. In a heartbeat I would have grabbed my grand puppy and left every piece of material possession behind. I look forward to more of your intriguing words and gifts of smiles.

Wow.. life is fragile Laura. We often get so caught up, we forget what’s important. Irma was devastating to watch on the news, I cannot fathom being badly affected by it, but I could imagine that in life and death situations as such.. everything quickly comes into perspective. I pray that you are okay since it passed.

About Me

Candace N. Bisram

Hi, welcome to my blog. I’m Candace who is loving life! For a very long time I had been in search of happiness but was looking in all the wrong places. After much failed attempts, I only recently got it right. I started a journey to live more meaningfully and along the way, figured out the key to true happiness. I became a Certified Life and Happiness Coach to ... Read More »